Bike to work day 2008 recap

The bad weather may have reduced turnout, but the event was at Freedom Plaza was still well attended. We ran out of small and medium T-shirts (Way to go small and medium sized people!)

As far as the VIPs, we had a smaller turnout than last year. Dan Tangherlini was there. Emeka Moneme was there too (and spoke to the crowd). City councilmembers Tommy Wells (biked), Muriel Bowser (I think biked) and Jim Graham came (did not bike) and spoke. Notably absent were the Mayor, our Delegate to Congress and the rest of the council.

Much was said about the new SmartBike program (coming this summer now), Moneme discussed the new bike station. Graham talked about his downtown parking fee - which is really anti-car, not pro-bike, the two aren't the same. Wells talked about the Pace Car program which is being expanded from a few schools to the entirety of Ward 6. Bowser talked about making a city where everyone who wants to can bike and walk to work. [Despite what people might think, I don't think everyone should have to sell their car and bike to work. I do think it's sad that so many people tell me, "Oh, I'd love to bike to work but..." followed by a fixable problem.]

They had a miniature SmartBike kiosk and some bikes that you could ride around. I rode one and they're prett sweet. Nice gear shift, good breaks, a bell, and comfy. The small wheels didn't bother me, but I'm used to that from my folding bike.

Congrats to WABA for a well done job (there were plenty of bagels and donuts and coffee). But clearly we need fewer XL T-shirts and more Smalls. Or we need to recruit bigger bike commuters.

Comments

[Beach Bum]

I was at the Crystal City pit stop, and the turnout was small, the party even smaller (only granola bars and coffee without cream being offered). The only raffle they had was for a U-Lock, portable bike pump or messenger bag (no bike raffles as promised). People who stayed home because of the weather did not miss anything, to be honest.

I was a tad disappointed, I thought it would be a bigger deal than this. I guess next year I should go to Freedom Plaza (which I would've, if it didn't start so late -- 8am -- as I have to be at work at 8:30, showered and changed by then).

[Ren]

I was also a little disappointed by Crystal City. I thought there would be bagels, or at least milk for my coffee, but I know I should be grateful for what I got.

Also, I’m not sure of bike-to-work day events are more intended to celebrate cycling or bring in new people, but I think that they need to consider having a scaled-down rain date for the newbies who are turned off by rain.

As for t-shirts, every t-shirt give-away thing that I have been to in the past 5 years was low or out-of small or medium t-shirts. I'm waiting for freakonomics or someone to deal with this issue.

[AshburnDave]

The Reston pit stop was impressive. There must have been about 50 people there at 7 am. I saw more bikes on the W&OD today than I usually see on a clear morning, so something's certainly being done right.

[Mike Mc]

Rockville Rocked, period.
Nice variety of snacks, coffee with all the goodies, good raffle prizes, friendly volunteers, awsome mechanic on duty and solid corporate support.

THANKS and GREAT JOB to EVERYONE involved!!!

[Beach Bum]

Seems like the Crystal City pit stop was the only one that did not have much going on -- a shame :(

I noticed most bikers stopped by, got their shirt, and left -- most people were not mingling (I was excited to meet other bikers!), probably because there was not much going on.

On the bright side, I got my medium shirt with no problem!

I wish they would host another one later in the summer as well. I've been biking to work for about 5 weeks now, and have yet to meet other people who bike to work too.

[MB]

I am doing my part to address the dearth of XL cyclists. Another donut, please.

~

Rosslyn was well attended. Not a sunny day crowd, by far, but there were plenty there. Won me a bike lock (thanks WABA/REI).

[Paul]

Turnout at North Bethesda, where I volunteered, was huge. WABA's organization and sponsors' support were were strong.

But can someone explain why folks sweat the freebie T? Does anyone really need FOUR shirts? Does it matter if the XL shrinks in your dryer?...Maybe this is the solution to our transit woes: free clothing for anyone who doesnt' drive to work!

[darren]

Shame about Crystal City. I did bike maintenance at their stop last year, which got added last-minute. It was a great time, and ended up as one of the most popular pit stops. I wasn't asked back this year, but assumed the Crystal City BID, who is a main sponsor of the overall event, was going to pull out all the stops this year.

The BTW Day t-shirt size dispersion algorithm is a longstanding mystery. We snagged a box of the numerous surplus XL t-shirts, so if any more-to-love bikers want to supplement their wardrobe, drop by either store.

[Contrarian]

One observation: BTWD was the same day as parent-teacher conferences for DC Public Schools. Parents really have to scramble on these days, as school is closed so they have to find someone to watch the kids, plus the parents themselves have to go to school for the conferences. So for the families of about 60,000 students this is not a normal workday at all. I believe the same thing happened last year.

Re: the t-shirts. It's pretty obvious that cyclists are leaner than the general population. I'm generally a size large or medium depending on the cut of a garment, except when I go to buy bike clothes, then I'm an XL.

[PdE]

For the record, Councilmember Muriel Bowser did bike in, I rode with her from Takoma. This is at least the third year that she has done so. She may not have voted the right way on Klingle Valley, but she is a good friend of cycling none the less.

[Jack]

Bike to Work Day was very much a "wash" cycle with no dry cycle. But gotta love those shirts! I hit two pitstops and picked up a fresh dry shirt at each one.

[old guy]

Despite being a 22 year-round dc bicycle commuter. once again I passed on BTW day. Obviously, I love riding, but I'm not real fond of encouraging the rubes to join in.